Mid West to play a role in renewable hydrogen as WA Government releases revised hydrogen strategy

Key bodies in the Mid West have been buoyed by news of the State Government’s “refreshed” hydrogen strategy, with the region set to play a vital role over the next five years in the renewable energy industry.

The report, which conveys the WA Government’s vision of becoming a leader in renewable hydrogen, products, and technologies leading to decarbonisation, flagged the Mid West as a key player.

Renewable hydrogen is the process of producing hydrogen through renewable sources, including the sun and wind.

Using the natural resources available in the area, the Oakajee strategic industrial area (SIA) north of Geraldton had been identified as a contributor for the Mid West hydrogen hub, with the State Government investing $60 million so far.

According to the State Government, $20m went towards the construction of the Oakajee access road, while the other $40m has been put towards the activation of the SIA, with $6m so far used for activation studies in the area.

Other projects include the Murchison renewables project near Kalbarri, and the Arrowsmith hydrogen project near Dongara.

Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Joanne Fabling said the report was a win, but said it was important to look at the steps going forward.

“We have been waiting for this report and it’s really great to see that the Mid West, as we all knew, is going to be a critical part in the decarbonisation and renewable space through the projects,” she said.

“These road maps are fantastic and are needed for us to be able to get planning to see what’s happening in our local future,” she said.

“Knowing our existing power constraints for industry, we need to have a look at other things we can be doing as smaller businesses and industries to enable our capability, and look at where we can scale up.”

The Mid West Ports Authority said it was supportive of the State Government’s push to activate the Oakajee area.

Chief executive Damian Tully said the port had been working closely with the WA Government.

“Mid West Ports continues to support the State Government to activate the Oakajee strategic industrial area,” he said.

“The Trilateral Hydrogen Hub (TryHyHub) Study was recently completed by Mid West Ports in partnership with the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute, indicating exporting hydrogen from the Mid West to Europe is viable.

“The foundational research determined Oakajee has potential to develop into a future industrial hydrogen port, supplying hydrogen and its derivatives for domestic use and export.”

The City of Greater Geraldton was also on board, with mayor Jerry Clune saying the proposed investment in the area was pleasing.

“The Mid West is one of the key strategies within their report,” he said.

“So it looks like they are finally coming on board and backing it.”